Principles of Horse Breeding 19 



Thus, when convenient, the spring is the proper time to breed 

 the mare, being attended by many advantages. The foal comes 

 at a time when it is much more easily managed, the housing is 

 simplified, since, if the weather is warm, the mare and foal may 

 be turned into a small paddock or pasture. The grass the mare 

 gets will serve to keep her in good physical condition and will 

 stimulate the milk flow. This also gives the foal the range of 

 the field and the much-needed exercise, without which no foal can 

 develop endurance. Soon the foal will learn to nibble the grass, 

 which will prove very beneficial, since grass is a very good supple- 

 ment for milk for a nursing foal. If the foal is given a little 

 grain at the same time the dam receives her ration, he will thrive 

 and develop in a manner difficult to equal with a fall colt. 



FALL FOALS 



When fall foals are to be raised the mare should be bred so as 

 to foal as soon as convenient after the season's work is done, pro- 

 viding the foal does not come when the flies are so cruelly annoy- 

 ing. To encourage the mare to breed, she should be fed an 

 abundance of nutritious food which should be of a rather laxative 

 nature. She should be blanketed and regularly exercised or mod- 

 erately worked. Her physical condition can be much improved 

 by feeding a moderate amount of succulent food, the object being 

 to make the conditions as spring-like as possible. 



If the foal comes in the winter it will need extra warm 

 quarters and extra attention. The dam will need milk-producing 

 foods such as clover or alfalfa hay, oats, bran, and a few carrots 

 if possible. She should be exercised regularly. If the breeder 

 has a succulent food such as carrots, and provides sufficient exer- 

 cise for mare and foal, it is possible to raise a winter colt that 

 will be a stroug rival of the average spring colt. The winter 

 colt has one advantage over the spring colt in that he is weaned 

 in the spring of the year and may be turned to pasture where 

 he should thrive, particularly if given a small allowance of grain. 



